Tour pro hits back at ‘whiney’ Robert MacIntyre

Robert MacIntyre has come under fire from fellow tour pro Eddie Pepperell, who has suggested the Scot’s “whiney” behaviour on the course could be a result of his PGA Tour success.

MacIntyre caused quite the stir at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday by claiming the 17th, the famous Road Hole at St Andrews, should be “blown up” and describing the iconic par-4 as one of the worst in golf.

The Oban man later apologised for his tirade at the Old Course and stressed he meant no disrespect.

• Robert MacIntyre responds to St Andrews outburst

• Robert MacIntyre calls for iconic golf hole to be “blown up”

But speaking on the latest episode of the Chipping Forecast with Ian Carter and Andrew Cotter, Pepperell was clearly not impressed.

“I completely disagree with Bob,” the two-time DP World Tour winner said.

MacIntyre was also under the spotlight before his Sunday outburst in the glorified pro-am. Sky Sports commentators were forced to apologise for his swearing during an expletive-filled round on Friday.

Then, on the 14th hole at Kingsbarns, he appeared irked by Rory McIlroy’s decision to tee off on the downhill par-4 as the Northern Irishman’s monster drive trickled near him up ahead on the green.

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“We talk about peoples’ behaviour on the course. Bob is, you know, becoming Tyrrell Hatton-esque,” Pepperell added. “I like Bob but I find his behaviour on the course a little whiney and I think he comes across that way.

“I think there was an incident with Rory as well where he drove the green, and I don’t know if this has just happened since Bob has had success in America or not. When he won in Canada, he was constantly not hitting shots because of the drone. He seems easily distracted, easily put off which is odd given his talent.

“I disagree with him entirely. I think the 17th at St Andrews is a brilliant golf hole and it shouldn’t be an easy hole when you’ve got the rest of the course, which really is a piece of cake for the modern professional.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.